The year is 2018. There is no crime and there are no more wars. Corporations are now the leaders of the world, as well as the controllers of the people. A violent futuristic game known as Rollerball is now the recreational sport of the world, with teams representing various areas competing for the title of champion. The defending championship team, the Houston team led by the determined ten-year veteran Johnathan E., are looking to repeat as champions. However, Bartholomew, the sinister corporate head, wants Johnathan to retire, even though he is the most respected athlete of his time. Johnathan's rebellious quest will not come out with complications, both for him and his teammates, after he decides to continue playing despite Bartholomew's threats.

Movie Tagline:
In the not-too-distant future, wars will no longer exist...

Bartholomew: The game was created to demonstrate the futility of individual effort.

Bartholomew: [in a video conference with other corporate executives] In my opinion, we are confronted here with something of a situation. Otherwise, I would not have presumed to take up your time. Once again, it concerns the case of Jonathan E. We know we don't want anything extraordinary to happen to Jonathan. We've already agreeed on that. No accidents, nothing unnatural. The game was created to demonstrate the futility of individual effort. And the game must do its work. The Energy Corporation has done all it can, and if a champion defeats the meaning for which the game was designed, then he must lose. I hope you agree with my reasoning.

[at the start of the Tokyo game] P.A. Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, will you stand please for the playing of our Corporate Hymn.

Movie Trivia:

Norman Jewison said he cast James Caan as Jonathan E, the champion Rollerball player, after seeing him play Brian Piccolo, the real-life Chicago Bears running back in Brian's Song (1971) (TV).

The game of Rollerball was so realistic the cast, extras, and stunt personnel played it between takes on the set.

There was only one "Rollerball" rink. It was redressed to appear as different cities.

During the Tokyo-Houston game, the Tokyo fans are chanting "Ganbare Tokyo!", which translates into "Do Your Best, Tokyo!"

Contrary to rumors, no one died during the filming of any of the stunts.